Effect of Weekly Iron and Vitamin C Supplementation on the Anaemic Status of Adolescent Girls

Effect of weekly iron and vitamin C supplementation was conducted on the anaemic status of ninety adolescent girls in the age group of 16–18 years. Dietary and anaemic status of the subjects was assessed before and after the study and the subjects were divided into three groups of thirty each. Group I was supplemented with Iron-Folic Acid tablets, group II with Iron-Folic Acid tablets + glass of lemon water and group III with Iron-Folic Acid tablets + synthetic vitamin C tablets, along with nutrition education, at a weekly interval, for three months period. As a result of improvement in nutrition knowledge of the subjects, there was increase in the consumption of iron and vitamin C rich foods resulting in increased intake of energy, protein, iron and vitamin C attributing to the improved haematological profile of the subjects. Consequently, reduction in the percentage of subjects with the major signs and symptoms of anaemia was observed. Significant increase in the haemoglobin level was observed in the group supplemented with Iron Folic Acid + Lemon Water (i.e. from 9.95 ± 0.11 to 11.02 ± 0.09 g/dl). Therefore, it can be concluded from the present study that the weekly iron supplementation along with natural source of vitamin C is more beneficial than synthetic vitamin C, to restore normal levels of red blood cells, haemoglobin, and iron that helps in preventing iron deficiency anaemia in the young adolescent girls.